Manston, United Kingdom: Dozens of trucks took part in a government exercise Monday for coping with possible Channel gridlock caused by a no-deal Brexit, assembling on a disused airport runway that could be turned into a giant lorry park.
But haulage groups labelled the exercise "too little too late" and "window dressing", while a local MP said the plan was "too complex" and would create "enormous confusion" for lorry drivers.
Nearly 100 lorries descended on Manston airfield in southeast England, which has been identified as a possible holding facility under contingency plans for leaving the European Union without a divorce agreement on March 29.
As part of the test, the vehicles then made two trips in convoy to and from the port of Dover -- a 20-mile (32-kilometre) journey -- along a route far less used by trucks than the main highway from London.
"Today's trial cannot possibly duplicate the reality of 4,000 trucks being held at Manston airport in the event of a no-deal Brexit," said Richard Burnett, head of the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
"It's too little too late -- this process should have started nine months ago. At this late stage it looks like window dressing," he added.
The RHA are among the industry bodies advising the transport ministry and local officials ahead of Brexit, and helped attract truckers to the one-day trial.
A ministry spokeswoman said 89 trucks participated at a cost of 550 pounds ($700/610 euros) per driver, or £48,950 for the whole fleet.
"We do not want or expect a no-deal scenario and continue to work hard to deliver a deal with the EU.
"However, it is the duty of a responsible government to continue to prepare for all eventualities and contingencies, including a possible no deal," she said.
Toby Howe, senior highway manager at Kent County Council, told AFP the government was considering holding up to 6,000 lorries at Manston, "if necessary".
Howe said the aim of the exercise was to work out how quickly the trucks could leave the airport and how long it would take them to arrive in Dover.
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